Is it okay to put Gear Legs on without wing on -A model?

idleup · #1 02-14-2011, 03:47 PM

I have an RV-7A and the next section of the manual is to install the landing gear, brake lines and calipers, wheels, etc. But the problem is that I dont have the wing permanently mounted yet (and wont until the very end when I move from my house to a hangar) so the brackets that the legs go into are going to have to have the bolts take out to get the wing spar in and I am not sure if that is the correct way to do it. Should I wait to do any gear related activities until the wing is in permanently?

allbee · #2 02-14-2011, 03:54 PM

no. I didn't even mount the wings for trial until it got to the airport. So go for it. I put my legs on very early in the game. Needs to be on the wheels to transport and the wings are off for this.

Greg Arehart · #3 02-14-2011, 05:16 PM

I worked extensively on my RV while it was on gear legs. The only caveat is to support the tail appropriately, as if you crawl into the tailcone, your weight may take it down (particularly before you hang the engine!).

greg

Pmerems · #4 02-14-2011, 05:21 PM

You don't need to install the close tolerance bolts yet. There are plenty of bolts that hold the gear leg mounting brackets to the center section. If you feel you need to install the larger bolts use hardware store bolts.

Save the close tolerance bolts for when you actually install the wing permanently.

idleup · #5 02-14-2011, 07:21 PM

Did you guys put anything in the wing center section where the wing spar goes (like a piece of wood) temporarily when you bolted the brackets holding the gear legs on or did you just put the bolts in?

idleup · #6 02-14-2011, 07:24 PM

One other question, did you hang the engine without the wings? if so, when it came time to put on the wings how did you remove all the bolts holding the gear bracket to insert the spar without the gear legs having to come off?

BillSchlatterer · #7 02-14-2011, 07:27 PM

while it is on the ground. Once you put the legs on, everything happens on a step stool and that gets a little old.

Bill S
7a now flying
still got the grin :-)

BillSchlatterer · #8 02-14-2011, 07:34 PM

Matt, be sure and check closely. There is a single 1/4 inch washer that goes between the gear mount and the spar on the inboard sides. Easy to miss and you don't want to miss that one. Don't put any bolts through the wing attach holes yet, you don't need them until the wings go on.

Spar is already spaced with tubing on the center bolts. No need for wood blocks. Just bolt the gear leg mounts in as shown in the plans and stick the legs when it's convenient.

Good luck, it really starts to look airplaney from here on!

Bill S
7a flying

idleup · #9 02-14-2011, 07:49 PM

Okay thanks Bill. I think I need to look at the bolts again, I thought the gear mounts were held on by the same bolts that span through the spar. I guess not.

Jeff Vaughan · #10 02-14-2011, 07:50 PM

"One other question, did you hang the engine without the wings? if so, when it came time to put on the wings how did you remove all the bolts holding the gear bracket to insert the spar without the gear legs having to come off?"
__________________
Matt Johnson

Matt, The gear bracket is mounted permanently before the gear is installed. There is no need to remove any bolts when you mount the wings.